7THE CLIMBERS



  STERLING. Ned 

  WARDEN. I have nothing to say to you, Ster.

ling.

  [WARDEN looks away and whistles a tune to

    show his unwillingness to listen. STERLING

    speaks clearly so WARDEN shall hear.

  STERLING. I have a message for you from my

wife. [There is a second's pause.  WARDEN stops

whistling and turns and looks at STERLING.] She

asks me to explain - to tell - to tell you a

decision she has come to.

                        [There is another pause.

  WARDEN. Yes

  [Anxious, at a supreme tension, and now a little

    alarmed as to the decision.

  STERLING. She has decided not to leave my house.

  WARDEN. [Adds.] Yet!

  STERLING. Ever!



704